Getting around without a car, avoiding unnecessary water waste, leaving no trace during your hikes and e-bike rides, and choosing local produce and artisan crafts: the Dolomite environment is as extraordinary as it is delicate, yet through our daily choices, we can help protect it. Do your part, too—here you will find useful information and practical advice to experience our region consciously.
1. EVERY DROP COUNTS
Water is a precious resource, especially at high altitudes where the impacts of climate change are most pronounced and water supplies are increasingly scarce. Up in our mountains, every drop counts, and you too can make a meaningful difference. How? By refraining from wasting water to wash clothes or hiking boots; by keeping in mind that mountain huts cannot always offer the same amenities as home; by embracing menu offerings tailored to available water supplies; and by minimizing dishware use—for instance, reusing your glass for a second drink. These valuable recommendations were developed by AKU and the San Martino di Castrozza Mountain Guides as part of the Gocce di Montagna (Mountain Drops) initiative, created to raise awareness among hikers about responsible water use in alpine huts and at high elevations. Your journey through the Dolomites is an opportunity to forge a deeper appreciation for this priceless resource—ensuring you bring back to the valley not only cherished memories, but a heightened consciousness of this delicate balance.
2. fresh, crystal-clear, and safe
Do you hear it? The gentle gurgle of water flowing from our fountains has set the rhythm of daily life here for generations. Historically, the ancient washhouses, elegant octagonal stone fountains, and quaint drinking taps scattered throughout our villages were the heart of the community. Today, they remain beloved gathering spots and refreshing stopovers. Be sure to pause here first thing in the morning to fill your reusable water bottle before heading out on a hike. Drinking directly from mountain streams and high-altitude springs is not safe, making it essential to top up before setting off. Want to find the nearest drinking fountain? Download the Refill app to discover where you can fill your bottle with fresh, crystal-clear, and safe Dolomite water.
3. RISE UP WITH THE POWER OF WATER
The entire San Martino di Castrozza–Passo Rolle ski area lies within a protected Nature Park. Both summer and winter, our gondolas, cable cars, and chairlifts run entirely on locally generated hydroelectricity produced by our 13 power plants! To guarantee a circular, mindful use of water resources, the technical snow that ensures superb skiing even during dry spells is produced using pure water alone, with zero chemical additives. Minimizing water consumption is paramount to us, which is why we have engineered and constructed state-of-the-art artificial reservoirs in recent years. You might not have even noticed them: reflecting as seamless alpine tarns in the summer, they transition at the start of winter into vital water reserves for scheduled snowmaking—a prime testament to how tourism and sustainability can thrive hand in hand.
4. MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVEN AT ALTITUDE
Our forests and mountains are delicate ecosystems, and protecting them takes only small, simple gestures—such as keeping a bag in your backpack to store your trash and never leaving litter along the trails. Not everyone shares the same mindfulness: if you encounter plastic, tissues, or cans discarded by others during your summer hikes, you can collect them and deposit them in the designated Xchange Boxes. These recycling posts were created by the young minds of EcoLogica della Montagna. Crafted from local timber by a local artisan, all 6 boxes feature a recycled plexiglass window—making visible to everyone (especially the less attentive!) just how much waste is left behind in nature. The collected materials are properly sorted by volunteers, giving discarded litter a second life thanks to your valuable help
5. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
Yes, indeed—we are proud waste-sorting enthusiasts! Thanks to the commitment of our local residents and the invaluable help of our guests, we have achieved a recycling rate of 85.82%*. There is always room for improvement, but to get there, we need your help! Always separate PLASTIC, GLASS, and PAPER, and dispose of them in the designated recycling containers at our eco-stations. Recycling guidelines here may differ from those in your hometown. If you are ever unsure, check our Riciclabolario guide or download the free Junker app—an innovative tool adopted by the 5 municipalities of Primiero to help visitors and locals sort waste correctly. Please pay special attention to cigarette butts: tossing them on the ground is not only illegal, but a harmful habit that generates microplastics, posing a serious threat to the environment and to human health.
*2025 waste sorting data. Source: Bilancio Azienda Ambiente
6. REDISCOVER OUR VILLAGES AT A GENTLE PACE
Far beyond its role as a source of energy and warmth, timber serves as a true fountainhead of creative inspiration for us! In Mezzano, recognized as one of I Borghi più belli d’Italia (Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages), traditional woodsheds are elevated into artwork through the ingenious Cataste&Canzei exhibition, transforming the village into an open-air art gallery. Meanwhile, Siror features a thematic trail celebrating the legends of Primiero, depicted across large wooden panels scattered throughout its charming streets. In Imèr, two local artists have breathed new life into the weathered, blackened timber of traditional agricultural barns (known locally as barchi) by creating Stre(e)t Barch—a distinctive, alpine-inspired take on street art. Nearby in the "Peze" locality of Imèr lies the newly opened sensory path Immèrgiti, an open-air land art installation featuring seven wooden and natural structures designed to engage all five senses: encouraging visitors to feel, breathe, touch, taste, and behold the forest and surrounding Dolomite landscape with fresh eyes. At the Navoi Wellness Park, you can marvel at the legendary Guana—a monumental 7-meter-tall sculpture crafted by artist Marco Martalar using over 2,000 wooden pieces and roots salvaged from the forests devastated by Storm Vaia. Intrigued? All our villages are interconnected by cycling and pedestrian paths. To explore them at your own pace, download the GPX track for the Primiero Family Loop and set off to discover them all on an e-bike!
7. NO CAR... EVEN ON HOLIDAY
Plan your holiday mindfully! When you book a stay at one of our participating accommodations, you will receive a complimentary Trentino Guest Card, giving you free access to local public transport—even before you arrive. Traveling by electric car? Finding an available charging point is effortless thanks to our 25 public charging stations, accessible via direct payment or through apps and cards from numerous roaming partners on the Hubject network. Why not leave your car in the garage and experience the benefits of an e-bike? Along the main cycling routes of Primiero and Vanoi, you will find over 30 charging stations powered by local renewable energy, allowing you to recharge your bike completely free of charge—giving you even more reason to explore the region on two wheels!
8. into local history and culture
Visit one of our museums to delve deeper into local history and culture. To get the most out of your experience, we recommend taking your time and checking the opening and closing hours in advance! Every visit is far more enjoyable when you travel light: ask at the entrance about available lockers or cloakroom facilities to store backpacks, jackets, and anything else that might weigh you down. Be sure to review the policy regarding cameras, video recorders, and electronic devices upon arrival, and remember to turn off your phone or switch it to silent mode—reassure yourself that voice notes from relatives and group chat notifications can wait for once! A passion for art, history, and beauty is best nurtured from a young age. Children are warmly welcomed, with many museums and visitor centers offering dedicated spaces and tailored interactive trails just for them. Before stepping inside, it is always helpful to remind young visitors that museums are special places where we speak in quiet tones and refrain from touching the exhibits—unless explicitly invited to do so!Lastly, please remember to show consideration for more vulnerable visitors. Every small act of courtesy enriches the experience for those who receive it, as well as those who offer it.
